The Year of Beijing
The Year of Beijing
by Lesley Brown
by Lesley Brown
The destination that will be on everyone’s lips this year is the “Forbidden City” itself, Beijing. Ever since China won the honour of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, the country has swung open its doors and has extended a huge welcome to the world. Could this be the sign of a completely new China? Well, if the massive efforts to give its capital city, Beijing, a complete makeover are any indication, the world may be in for a real surprise.
If ever you’ve had an inkling of interest in exploring this ancient destination that is filled with mystique, now is definitely the time to do so. The Chinese people have miraculously transformed Beijing into a spectacular eco-friendly destination as the country prepares to unveil its new look and attitude and enter into its second golden age.
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be celebrated from 8-24 August, 2008, with the opening ceremony commencing at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing. The Games will play host to the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic programme. More than 10,000 athletes are expected to participate in the Games and millions of spectators will descend on the city.
The Chinese government has promoted the Games to highlight China's emergence onto the world stage, amidst concerns about environmental issues and social problems due to its rapid economic rise. Heavy population, inability to accommodate the influx of expected tourists and lack of experience in dealing with non-Asian visitors - are just a few of the major hurdles that the country was facing.
The Chinese government has tackled these serious issues with a vigour and enthusiasm that can only be acknowledged as extraordinary. Not only has the city relocated numerous factories to destinations in more suburban areas, the city has also replaced 300,000 polluting taxis and buses with more environmentally friendly vehicles and have also been constructing four new subway lines in order to further curve pollution and streamline the efficiency of public transportation.
In 2007, Beijing has had an extremely productive year in terms of the progress made for the Olympic preparations. In February, the official Beijing Olympic sculptures were exhibited. It was no surprise that the sculptures were absolutely breathtaking as China has long been recognized as one of the most prolific art centres in the entire world. A few months later the torch design for the Olympic Games was unveiled as well as the torchbearer’s route.
The city is already in the midst of an US$75 billion makeover. The main stadium for the XXIXth Olympiad will cost US$374 million (EUR290 million) and will look like no other stadium the world has seen as well as being one of the most talked-about buildings in Asia. This magnificent structure is actually the new Beijing National Stadium, affectionately dubbed the “Bird's Nest.” This masterful creation was inspired by the Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron at an estimated cost of US$500 million.
The stadium was designed to accommodate 80,000 spectators--100,000 spectators during the Olympics. What’s so unique about this stadium is that it vastly different than any structure in Beijing and actually resembles a shiny silver spaceship that has landed on a sea of brown and gray.
Besides erecting grandiose Olympic venues, the city has also been transforming old run-down buildings into huge new office and apartment complexes. The progress has been taking place at an alarming rate and as people are watching their city evolve into a new fashionable, modern metropolis, the multitudes are flocking to invest.
The essence of Beijing has always been found in its fascinating buildings and not in the geographic glamour that has made cities like Hong Kong and Singapore sparkle. As the historian Arnold Toynbee so cleverly pointed out. “Beijing as a city owes little to nature and everything to art.” Although the cityscape has changed dramatically, Beijing has gone to great lengths to ensure that its charm and rich ancestry remain intact. Areas like the Forbidden City and the Tian Tan Temple will remain untouched; thus maintaining the splendour that it has shown for centuries.
Unless you have already purchased a ticket for the Olympics or won a really big lottery, chances are that you will not be in Beijing during the Games. The good news is that all of the new glamour that has besieged Beijing as well as the mystique of all of the ancient attractions will be there waiting for you long after the Olympic fires have extinguished.
Don’t worry; the ‘must-see’ attractions are still there to enchant visitors. The Forbidden City is an attraction in Beijing that cannot be missed. This is the world's largest palace complex and, between 1420 and 1924, The Forbidden City was the place of residence for no less than 24 Emperors from the Ming and Qing ruling dynasties.
The City took a little over 14 years to build with a workforce of an estimated 200,000 labourers, the various buildings house 9,999 rooms. Today, the Forbidden City, with Tiananmen Square immediately to the south, is one of the most recognizable attractions in Asia and has been featured on television and in countless magazines articles.
Visitors can also still experience shopping at the renowned Silk Market, situated in the Jian Guo Men district. This area has been a top tourist spot for years and can provide great bargains for the skilled negotiator. Another fantastic shopping area can be found along Wangfujing Street, located close to the Forbidden City. This area is a shopper’s paradise and home to a couple of the city's most famous mega malls.
Beijing is also bustling with world-class hotels that are absolutely overflowing with elegance and luxury, such as the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This 5-star hotel is situated in the heart of Beijing's shopping and tourist district and is overflowing with amenities and the ambience. The striking Yue Xiu Hotel is a wonderful family-friendly accommodation that is located only 1 km away from the city centre and offers extremely affordable rates. Another reasonable hotel, the Tian Lun Songhe Hotel, is only 10 minutes walk from the Forbidden City.
For those who prefer the comfort of a big chain hotel with a swimming pool, the Best Western Beijing Hotell is located just a short distance from the train station and a 40 minute drive from the airport. For maximum comfort and luxury, the 5-star Grand Hyatt Beijing is located at the city centre and has many amenities, such as Limousine service, spa, swimming pool and guided tours.
China has come a long way in terms of preparations for the millions of visitors that will undoubtedly descend upon Beijing during the Olympic games. Officials feel confident that they will be not only ready for the influx of visitors, but they will show them a “Cultural Olympics” that will be remembered for many years to come.
The great news for visitors, other than Olympic spectators, is that Beijing has evolved into a sophisticated metropolis and opened its doors to the world. Both the 2008 Olympic emblem and slogan that the Beijing Olympic committee created, pretty much says it all: "One World, One Dream.”
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Beijing, China
Wangfujing Grand Hotel enjoys a perfect location within walking distance of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Beihai Park and a cluster of cultural and historical sites. The imposing 14-storey hotel has 399 comfortable rooms, all with broadband Internet and satellite television. With five restaurants, a business centre, a fully-equipped gymnasium, an indoor swimming pool, sauna and beauty salon, your every need is catered for.
Rooms from only US$105 per night
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